This is a discussion on New, have some questions.... within the New Member Hangout forums, part of the Community - Meet other Enthusiasts category; Hey guys, so I'm new and thought I'd introduce myself. I currently drive a 99 Toyota Tacoma, love my truck, ...

New, have some questions....

Hey guys, so I'm new and thought I'd introduce myself. I currently drive a 99 Toyota Tacoma, love my truck, but ready for something else and I'm shopping around for a WRX. I just have a few questions regarding years. I've been told by a few people to stay away from the 02-03 models as they had a lot of problems. Any truth to this? I'm still looking around, but am on a bit of a budget given the fact that I'm a college kid so a 02-03 fits my budget a lot better, but if I'm gonna have a lot of problems I'd much rather go for a 04-05. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I've been driving a truck for the last 4 years, so going to a car is gonna be a bit weird, haha....

the 02-03 didnt have to manys problems that i know of... i know the tranny isnt the strongest (5 spd, unsure about auto tranny)... also its going to kinda depend on how the other owner or owners treated it

I was in a similar situation as you when I was looking for my WRX. I like the price of the bugeys (02-03) but I didn't like the infamous "glass gear" tranny. I also wasn't too fond of the look. To make a long story short I found a good deal on a 04 and am very glad I have what I have. I think a bugeye would be fine if you treat it well and like someone said above hopefully the previous owner(s) did too.

Thanks for the welcomes. I was supposed to go look at a couple up in Seattle this weekend, but I don't know if that's gonna happen, going snowboarding instead. I test drove a 05 that I really liked, but it sold pretty quickly. One of the main problems I'm finding is really high miles and after driving a Toyota for the past 4 years that has had zero problems I don't want a car that is gonna break all the time!

Why don't you just drive the Toyota a little longer and get a later year WRX when it does fit your budget. I waited 5 years to get the Subie I wanted at the price I wanted. I was going to wait longer until my '91 Accord wagon started falling apart (after 225K + miles).

Thanks for the welcomes. I was supposed to go look at a couple up in Seattle this weekend, but I don't know if that's gonna happen, going snowboarding instead. I test drove a 05 that I really liked, but it sold pretty quickly. One of the main problems I'm finding is really high miles and after driving a Toyota for the past 4 years that has had zero problems I don't want a car that is gonna break all the time!

I just got one a few days ago. After researching a long long long time, and asking for all the advice I could and searched the forums, I found an 03 bugeye with 67k miles. Previous owner was an old businessman in Wyoming. It had some paint chips and the dealer put cheapo tires on it, which is OK they'll do for now, I want the 17's anyway. But you have to do what's right for you, look around a lot and you'll find something.

I test drove a 05 that I really liked, but it sold pretty quickly. One of the main problems I'm finding is really high miles and after driving a Toyota for the past 4 years that has had zero problems I don't want a car that is gonna break all the time!

Given reasonable care the WRX will be comparable in reliability. The later 2003 through 2005 transmissions got wider gears to partially address the weakness issue in the earlier models.

99 Tacoma eh? what color? Wanna trade?! Heh... Seriously, I would keep the truck for a bit. My brother has a 97 and I love driving it around Washington and Yamhill counties! One day you will find the right one, in the mean time, enjoy the site and ask any questions you have. Everyone here, except for Ray, is really nice.

Thanks again guys! Yeah, I'm really not in any hurry although I'd love to have one soon, just waiting for the right one to come along. It would of came in handy today though, we got a bunch of snow and I have no weight in the back of my truck, I was sliding all over the place!

My Yota's black...its been a great truck, I'll be sad to get rid of it, I considered putting a 6 inch lift on it at one point in time, but after all the money I was gonna have to put into it, just wasn't worth it, here's some pics...

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